CH 138

“There is no law that prohibits royalty from engaging in business. However, princess, if those of royal blood chase after wealth, who then will look after the people?” Cecile said in a chastising manner.

“Well, that…!” Yuliana rushed to refute the empress, but found herself faltering without a comeback.

Murmurs broke out amongst the spectators who had praised Yuliana’s business acumen moments before. The empress’s concerns had sparked a realization with Yuliana’s premise.

“Indeed, Her Majesty has a point.”

“The impact of casinos isn’t limited to advantageous outcomes only.”

“Aren’t we all aware of the problems that follow? Often casinos bring along a spike in gambling addictions and a destabilization of public safety.”

“Quite! While I’d welcome a casino for the economic benefits, I would certainly be opposed to it being constructed near my residence or my children’s school.”

“Yes, the increase of addicts would be problematic…”

While accumulating wealth for the nation was a worthwhile endeavor, it strayed from the duties of royalty, whose position called for them to place the citizens ahead of profits… but if Yuliana, a princess beloved by all, was to spearhead the development of a casino industry, who would be able to stand in opposition? Surely, the bureaucracy would be hesitant to speak up about the potential ill effects that may ensue.

The onlookers viewed the empress in a new light. While they’d stumbled over themselves to heap praise on the princess, only the empress had seen the shortcomings of the princess’s plan and stepped forward to educate them on the true duty of a royal.

‘What is happening?’ Yuliana was beyond frustrated. Why was the attention that should be hers redirected towards the empress? This wouldn’t do. She had to quickly straighten out the situation before the atmosphere was distorted any further. Her powers had rendered the spectators easily swayed, like reeds in the wind, and they would tilt at the slightest push. It was human nature to align themselves with the winning side. ‘It’ll all end so long as I win this game.’

“Is that all you have to say?” Yuliana said curtly, looking at Cecile.

“It is.”

“Then, if you will, please toss the dice.”

It would be all over once the princess won and claimed the scepter as proof of her victory. She could already envision herself, in place of Cecile, being drawn in a carriage led by the pegasus back to the empress’s palace, where she would await the emperor. With her powers, it would be a cinch to secure her stronghold over the entire imperial palace before his return, and then Estian too would easily fall at her feet.

Yuliana watched the empress pick up her dice, and secretly whisper to the handsome boy standing next to her. He reached out and suddenly kissed the dice in her hands, and in turn the empress pinched his cheeks in an adoring manner. ‘What on earth are they up to now?!’

* * *

Picking up the dice, Cecile rolled them about in her hands. The dice looked ordinary—made from high-quality marble, their surface was smooth and shiny. She rolled them about and lightly tossed them for good measure, but felt nothing noteworthy. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry. Yuliana’s powers to enchant had been explained to her, but Cecile couldn’t be certain the princess didn’t have other tricks up her sleeve.

“What is it?” Richard asked, drawing close in response to the empress’s beckoning.

“Could you look at these? I was wondering if there might be some sort of trickery to it.”

The dealer had inspected the dice, but how could she be certain he wasn’t already bewitched and carrying out Yuliana’s biddings? There was no harm in checking them once more. Moreover, nothing was more reassuring than having it examined by the mage lord.

Nodding in understanding, the mage lord drew closer, when suddenly, he kissed the dice in Cecile’s hands. The empress was shocked speechless by the unexpected behavior. Has the man lost his mind? What compelled him to put on this weird display when all she asked him to do was check the dice?

“What in tarnation are you up to?” Cecile hissed, pinching hard on his cheeks. She wanted to shout ‘Do you want to die? Do you? What possessed you to pull a prank in a situation like this?’ Her irritation made her add strength to her fingers, pulling on his cheeks painfully, but not too harshly.

“It kind of hurts?” Richard grumbled indignantly, escaping from the empress’s grip, but not forgetting to maintain a smile in front of their audience. He wondered if he’d felt this much pain when Estian had lopped off his neck. How was this woman able to put so much strength into her hands? “I was just checking for any magical contraptions.”

“Couldn’t you have checked it with a little more normalcy?”

“For your benefit, I already avoided licking them directly. Anyhow, there are no problems with the dice. They are perfectly ordinary.”